17-year-old Mufasa the lion passes away at Como Zoo

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - After many years at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, Mufasa the lion has passed away.

The zoo announced his death Thursday, writing that 17-year-old Mufasa "had been on a quality-of-life watch due to declining health and advanced age."

According to the zoo, Mufasa battled and was receiving treatment for thrombocytopenia, a medical condition characterized by low blood platelets and difficulty clotting. The decision was made to humanely euthanize the lion after he no longer responded to treatments.